Member Article

North East surveyor gets national recognition

A North East surveyor has been recognised nationally for his work in helping to preserve some of the most historic buildings in the country.

Chartered building surveyor Paul Lewis joins a prestigious list of just 67 experts accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Darlington-born Paul runs Lewis Surveying Associates LLP with his brother Peter which has offices in Richmond, Hexham and Penrith.

High-profile projects the firm has handled include Allan Bank in Grasmere and a Georgian mansion in Cockermouth, both former Cumbrian homes of the poet William Wordsworth and the historic St Robert’s Church, Newminster, near Morpeth, working for the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, which was severely damaged by fire.

Paul said: “After 20 years of managing the repair of traditional and historic buildings, I am delighted to have received this recognition from the RICS.

“Whether I am restoring a cottage or a castle, there is nothing I love more than carefully reinstating these lovely old buildings so that their stories from history can be told.”

Accreditation will allow the family firm to work on ancient monuments and Heritage Lottery projects providing additional opportunities for the practice.

The Richmond office has just been appointed to restore the features of an historic parkland at Forcett Hall, a Grade I listed mansion in North Yorkshire.

Paul is currently working on the restoration of a farm previously owned by Beatrix Potter in the Lake District where her writing desk and some of her paintings still remain.

But LSA also specialises in a variety of property issues including modern commercial and residential buildings in County Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire, Northumberland and Cumbria.

Services include building and land surveys, defect diagnosis, project management, consultancy work, listed and planning consents and legal advice on dilapidations, party walls, boundary disputes and expert witness duties.

Peter’s daughters Jenny and Josie offer architectural and design services including plans and drawings and interior design and Paul’s son Robert also works as a surveyor in the business.

The firm has built a solid base of clients including property companies, the YMCA, commercial and private landlords, homeowners and the National Trust.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .